Rev. Charles Sydnor Cook Jr.

COOK, Reverend Charles Sydnor Jr., 74, died Friday, May 21, 2010 surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Danville, Va. on January 4, 1936. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Barbara Sanford Cook; his much loved daughters, Anne Cook Townsend, Caroline Sydnor Rose and her spouse, Anne Preston Rose; his cherished granddaughter, Erin Stuart Townsend; his two sisters, Jacqueline Cook East (Robert) of San Antonio Texas, and Judith Cook Burnette (Clyde) of Danville, Va.; and two sisters-in-law, Penelope Sanford Kidd (Robert) of Williamsburg and Elizabeth Sanford Butcher of Richmond; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Mr. Cook was an Episcopal Priest for 48 years, served churches in the Diocese of Southern Virginia, the Diocese of North Carolina, and the Diocese of Virginia. He retired from the active Parochial Ministry on January 1, 2001, after serving as Rector of St. John's Church, Warsaw, Va., and North Farnham Church, Farnham, Va. since 1991. He graduated from George Washington High School in Danville, Va. in 1954, the University of Virginia in 1958, the Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C. in 1961, and the Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, Va. in 1962. At the University of Virginia Mr. Cook was a member of the Jefferson Society, The Honor Orientation Committee, The Lawn and Chowder Marching Society and won the Jefferson Gavel in Public Speaking in 1955. In his fourth year he was a resident of Room One West Lawn. In 2008 he was proudly inducted in the Thomas Jefferson Society of Alumni of the University of Virginia. Mr. Cook was a dedicated priest, a much loved husband, devoted father and a treasured grandfather. During the last 13 years some of his most joyous times were spent with his granddaughter, Erin. A Memorial Eucharist will be held at Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church, Three Chopt Rd. and Grove Ave. on Tuesday May 25, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Westhampton Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 8500, 6000 Grove Ave. Richmond, Va. 23226 or the Diocesan Fund for Human Need, the Diocese of Virginia, 110 West Franklin St., Richmond, Va. 23220. Online condolences woodyfuneralhomeparham.com



This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.